the pride of Africa's women entrepreneurs
Deola Sagoe (file image Lionesses of Africa Annual Conference 2016)
100 Lionesses
Coinciding with the launch of Paris Fashion Week, UNESCO hosted a round table discussion, entitled Made in Africa: The Next Global Manufacturing Hub?, at its Headquarters in Paris on 23 September. Focusing on the potential of Africa’s fashion industry, the event brought together leading experts on the Continent’s clothing and fashion sector, including renowned Nigerian couturier Deola Sagoe.
Read more
Zanele Njapha
Lioness Launch
For all those businesses looking to gear up to thrive in an ever-changing economic climate, help is at hand, thanks to South African entrepreneur, Zanele Njapha. Her award-winning keynote and it's accompanying training package ‘Institutional Relevance in The 4th Industrial Revolution’, are providing a framework for acquiring the skills necessary to gear up for success.
Read more
Melinda Gates
For the last twenty years, Melinda Gates has been on a mission to find solutions for people with the most urgent needs, wherever they live. Throughout this journey, one thing has become increasingly clear to her: If you want to lift a society up, you need to stop keeping women down. In her moving and compelling book, The Moment of Lift, Melinda shares lessons she’s learned from the inspiring people she’s met during her work and travels around the world.
Read more
Isis Mbaga, founder of Isis Mbaga (Mozambique)
Startup Story
Mozambique has some exciting design talents emerging on the entrepreneurial scene, and Isis Mbaga, founder of the brand that carries her name, is one such talent. Her fashion brand has appeal to local and global consumers who are looking for unique designs with local flair.
Read more
Davina Toale, founder of Power Paws (South Africa)
Startup Story
As any dog owner knows, it can often be difficult to fit into a busy day the amount of walking that your precious pet needs to stay fit and healthy. But in Johannesburg, South Africa, expert help is at hand, thanks to Power Paws, a specialist dog walking business founded by entrepreneur Davina Toale and her co-founder Ondine.
Read more
Dr Ola Orekunrin and Nkemdilim Begho
Award Winners
At the prestigious 74th UN General Assembly in New York, which took place from 28th September to 3rd October, an important event took place on the sidelines - the MIPAD (Global Top 100 Most Influential People of African Descent) Recognition Week for the Class of 2019. Amongst this year’s honorees were two outstanding and inspirational women entrepreneurs from the Lionesses of Africa community, Nkemdilim Begho and Ola Brown, recognised in the Class of 2019 Business and Entrepreneurship Category.
Read more
by Lori Milner: author, entrepreneur, thought leader and founder of Beyond the Dress
I was listening to an interview with Essentialism author, Greg McKeon. He shared an interesting story of how he was in a fancy dress shop looking for a Halloween costume recently. He tried on a Star Wars Storm Trooper outfit and when he was looking in the mirror he remembered a significant childhood memory of him and his older brother as kids. His brother told him ‘You know you have really made it when you can buy your own Storm Trooper outfit’ (he was an avid Star Wars fan). Greg realized that the only reason he had this outfit on was because of the subconscious meaning behind it. But more interestingly, he recognized he didn’t want this outfit. It meant nothing to him, the only reason he had it on was because of his brother.
Read more
Lilly Alfonso, founder of Lilly Alfonso (Malawi)
Know yourself...
Lilly Alfonso, founder of Lilly Alfonso (Malawi)
Read more
Start now, start right, start proud and don’t stop....
Adenike Akinsemolu, founder of the Green Campus Initiative (Nigeria)
Read more
Lizl Naude, founder of Lilly Loompa (South Africa)
Pursue your dreams now....
Lizl Naude, founder of Lilly Loompa (South Africa)
Read more
Event Report
A cold sea breeze may have been blowing across Cape Town on the morning of Friday 4 October, but it did nothing to deter the spirits of the 100 women entrepreneurs who gathered at The Argyle in Woodstock for the latest Lioness Lean In event. The welcome was warm, the breakfast and hot coffee gave a much needed boost, and energy levels were high as the conversation and networking got underway.
Read more
The global news media was abuzz this month with the Royal Visit to Africa by their royal highnesses, Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Lionesses of Africa had the opportunity to meet with the Duchess and talk women’s entrepreneurship in Africa during the final leg of their visit to Johannesburg. The occasion was a special reception hosted by Her Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Africa, Mrs Emma Wade-Smith OBE, at her official residence in the city.
Read more
Lioness Launch
In the Eastern Cape of South Africa, entrepreneur Adele Cutten, founder of the renowned Adele’s Mohair, launches a series of Magic Mohair Gift Packs for creative crafter customers.
Read more
If you are one of those women who dream of taking your creative ideas and turning them into a business, but you are not sure where to begin, then Mind Your Business by Ilana Griffo is the book for you!
Read more
Sr. Julia ‘Masina Mafike, founder of JMM Beekeeping (Lesotho)
Startup Story
Lesotho is renowned for its natural beauty, attracting visitors from around the world. Today, however, it is also renowned for the quality of its honey production, thanks to an enterprising business, JMM Beekeeping, founded by Julia ‘Masina Mafike.
Read more
Linda Dempah, founder of Adeba Nature (Cote d’Ivoire)
Startup Story
Empowering women to feel chic and beautiful is the mission of Ivorian natural beauty brand, Adeba Nature. Formulated using fewer than five ingredients, this product range created by beauty entrepreneur, Linda Dempah, is creating a brand that is rooted in the existing traditions preserved in Ivorian villages.
Read more
by Tatenda Rungisa
Digital marketing is simply using digital ways to connect with different parties. Digital marketing encompasses websites, online brochures, bulk emails and so much more. For female entrepreneurs, digital marketing is advisable as it is more convenient, fast, and reaches larger groups of people rather than the traditional ways of marketing. So, what are the basics to kick off a digital marketing campaign?
Read more
Thato Mokhothu-Ramohlanka
I attended a seminar recently with failure as the overarching topic. It’s always refreshing when a group of individuals come together in a safe environment to speak truthfully about their experiences. I realized just how important and necessary these authentic conversations are as a means to dilute the heavy traffic of information that we consume on a daily basis, some of which is not always a true reflection of reality. Failure, unfortunately, is as real as it comes, yet it is one of the least spoken about issues today. People would rather project themselves as pseudo superheroes, adopting phrases like “black don’t crack” than to show the real stories about their everyday struggles.
Read more
Fidelis Wanjiku, founder of Round Square Marketing Limited (Kenya)
Take care of yourself....
Fidelis Wanjiku, founder of Round Square Marketing Limited (Kenya)
Read more
Rebecca Enonchong, founder and CEO of AppsTech (Cameroon)